Chapter 2

In the quiet confines of his room, soft sunlight filtered through the curtains, casting a warm, gentle glow that illuminated the space. Shelves adorned with books filled the walls, capturing his younger, enthusiastic self who loved to read. Adoring his walls were not just a few family photos but a collage of cherished memories. His space had Inspirational quotes intertwined with artistic shots carefully arranged, creating an atmosphere of motivation and creativity. On his desk, a notebook titled "Life Adventures: All or Nothing." captures all the experiences he hoped to have and his laptop. In a corner on his desk, two photos held a special place. One depicts the bond between him and his younger brother. The other is a photo of him and a dear friend, a reminder of their cherished relationship. To the left of the room by his window lay Kanan.

The ringing of his phone woke him from his slumber. He rummaged beneath the sheets for his phone. Upon the second ring, he was able to locate his phone. With sleepy eyes, he answered the phone. "Hello," His voice was groggy, bearing the traces of sleep as he greeted the caller on the other end.

"Kanan, sweetheart, did I wake you up?" That gentle and sweet voice no doubt belonged to his mother.

Kanan got up and sat on the edge of his bed. The effects of his drinking were ever so present. It was as if a storm had passed through his mind. His head throbbed with a relentless drumbeat; the room seemed so bright that he had to squint his eyes. Kanan held his forehead, a groan escaping his lips. "No, I just got up."

"Are you okay? You don't sound so good." His mother couldn't hide her worry. Even over the phone, she could tell if her son wasn't doing okay.

He opted to put the phone on speaker. "I had a drink last night. I'm just a bit hungover."

"Did something happen? You never drink." His mother said. "You swore up and down that you'd never drink again. You wouldn't even touch anything with alcohol in it."

Kanan smiled at how well his mother knew him. "I was feeling a bit under the weather," Having still dressed in the clothes from the night before, he removed his hoodie, leaving his white t-shirt on. "Anyways, what's up, Mom? Did something happen for you to call this early?"

"Kanan, it's almost noon." He checked the time to be sure. "Your brother said he texted you, but you didn't respond. He's been complaining all morning, so I had to call 'cause he wouldn't." Upon checking, there was a text from his younger brother in his notifications sent from the previous day.

Kaelan, his younger brother, was five years younger than Kanan, who was twenty-five. Ever since they were young, Kaelan had a strong sense of attachment to Kanan, and that didn't change with age. Kanan experienced many emotions when his younger brother was home from the hospital. While there was genuine joy at having a new family member, Kanan would smile when Kaelan would kick in his mother's stomach when he touched her belly. He couldn't help but feel sad and frustrated, overshadowing his happiness. The constant cries from his brother and his mother's attention focused on the newborn frustrated him. Over time, Kanan began to understand the joy he experienced when he learned he would become an older brother. And with time, their bond became unbreakable. Though Kaelan might be more attached than expected, he loves him deeply.

"Guess who's coming to visit? 🚗" the text read.

"He's coming to visit?" Kanan said to his mother.

"He has a summer break, and you know Kaelan, he's going to visit his brother."

"When is he planning on coming?" He took the time to open the text.

"A surprise, he said." Her voice hinted at excitement.

"I just saw you're text. A lot happened yesterday, and Mom called me (she's currently on the phone). I know you're sulking☹️, but you'll still read this message. I'm excited you're coming; let me know if there's anything you want to do when you visit. Love you. ❤️" Kanan replied.

"Mom, I'll freshen up and get something to eat. I'll talk to you later."

"Okay. Bye and Kanan, if there's anything you're worried about, I'm always here to listen. Remember, I'm just a phone call away."She couldn't shake off the thought that her son, who had always avoided alcohol, had a drink the previous night. "I know you've been through a lot these past few months and how hard it's been. I want to make sure you're okay. I Love you."

"I'm doing okay," He assured her. "Love you too."

The call ended, and a sigh ensued. Amidst the throbbing pain in his head, the memories of the past few months began to flash before his eyes. Each moment, like a series of snapshots, played out in his mind and reminded him of all the events that had led him to this moment of discomfort. Kanan exited his room to grab a bottle of water. What greeted him was the tub of ice cream he thought he had placed in the fridge melted, leaving a watery mess. With a sigh of regret, He had no one to blame but himself as he cleaned up the mess, including his scattered shoes strewn about the floor.

Sitting in his living room after completing the clean-up, Kanan took a moment to relax and reflect on the night before. He also decided to take an ibuprofen he'd grabbed from his bathroom cabinet to ease his hangover. Kanan had hoped the night become a blur, but to his dismay, it remained vivid in his mind. On the coffee table, he placed his phone and the phone number he received. He covered his face in embarrassment, wondering why he did that, and a reminder to himself not to drink again no matter what. Kanan didn't have the courage just yet to call and apologize. He decided to have breakfast, spread his bed, and take a shower, then confront the decisions his drunken self made.

~~

Kanan settled for navy shorts. After cleaning up his room, he came across the shorts he hadn't worn in a long time. His upper body was a testament to his dedication to consistent home workouts, which he didn't hesitate to show. Kanan's last objective before making breakfast was writing in his notebook Life Adventures: All or Nothing.

Have a drink after a long time and Try a glass of Mojito for the first time. He wrote before drawing a line through it, his last task before breakfast. It was indeed an experience to remember. Breakfast consisted of toast, egg, and bacon combined into a sandwich. As Kanan ate, he thought about the phone call he had to make, playing out the conversation in his head. He'd hoped the stranger wasn't too angry by his actions, and apologizing was the first step he had to complete. From what Kanan could remember, they were nice despite his clingy behavior, but that could be because of the situation, the type where one is bothered by the circumstances deep down but is friendly nonetheless. Whatever the outcome, he'll accept it.

Kanan set his plate aside, wiped his hands, and punched in the numbers. The phone went to voicemail on his first try. His second attempt answered after two rings. "Hello," They said on the other end. It was indeed the voice he had heard last night.

"Hello," Kanan said, suddenly feeling nervous. "It's the guy you helped out last night."

"Ahh, the ice cream guy."

"Yes, the ice cream guy." His cheeks flushed with embarrassment after repeating the words. "I wanted to apologize for what I did last night. I was drunk and crossed the line. As I mentioned before, I'll repay you for the ice cream. If you tell me what works best, I'll send you the money."

"I don't believe we've properly introduced ourselves. What's your name?" He asked.

"Kanan," he replied. The conversation was veering far from his initial expectations.

"Nathaniel," The stranger's name finally became known to him. "From what I can remember, Kanan, the repayment didn't state that it had to be monetary."

Kanan was shocked. He indeed didn't state what the repayment would be and assumed he only had to repay him with money. In fact, wouldn't that be what anyone would think? Maybe not Nathaniel. "I can't deny that. So, what do you have in mind? I have the right to refuse, don't I?."

"My request is nothing outrageous," Nathaniel assured him. "Let's meet at the Royal Brew Café at 2."

~~

The Royal Brew Café was a place that Kanan had seen but never had the opportunity to visit. In his early high school years, seventh grade to be exact, it was a place he longed to savor, an experience out of reach due to the prices. What was deemed "I didn't have enough money at the time." didn't change as Kanan got older. The prices were ridiculous for a cup of coffee, and he no longer wanted to experience the cafe's luxury. And he soon came to realize that the targeted audience was the wealthier clientele. It gave him an idea of the type of person Nathaniel was, at least how his pocket was. Kanan didn't have much time to get ready. He had roughly thirty minutes, and if traffic turned sour, he'd likely not make it on time. The Cafe wasn't far in location, but its route was known for having heavy traffic.

His outfit was simple: black jeans, a white t-shirt, and a jacket, and to finish his look, the white shoes he had worn last night. He wore a watch gifted by his father for his 18th birthday. Kanan finished his final preparations and grabbed his phone, car keys, and wallet. He wasn't going to make the same mistake twice. There was traffic as initially expected. Sitting in traffic allowed him to think. Meeting Nathaniel in person, sober, was more nerve-racking than he thought. He'd thought the phone call would be the end of it all.

The View Outdoor Shopping Centre, which housed Royal Brew Café amongst many buildings of its nature, came into view. The Café located at the front was easy to find. Kanan parked his car, taking a final moment to check his appearance. He noticed he was running ten minutes behind schedule and hurried inside.

As Kanan stepped into the Royal Brew Café, he was immediately shrouded in an atmosphere of elegance and sophistication. The interior was a sight to behold. The natural lighting casts a soft, warm glow over the space. The tables had flowers centered, and the chair was cloaked in luxurious green velvet upholstery and a touch of gold on the legs to finish it off. A grand, ornate coffee bar takes center stage, where skilled baristas meticulously craft each coffee beverage. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee and artisanal teas fills the air. The walls are adorned with modern and classic artwork, adding to the café ambiance. The touch of indoor plants and bookshelves didn't go unnoticed, along with the soft background music for a pleasant atmosphere.

Kanan suddenly found himself feeling out of place. It was nothing like he had seen before in a cafe. Kanan returned the friendly welcome, suspecting the person was a host. He placed a call to locate Nathaniel among the customers. In the back of the cafe, at a corner table, Nathaniel gestured for Kanan to join him upon noticing the call. As Kanan approached him, Nathaniel's demeanor revealed telltale signs of him being upset. His cup of coffee sat in front of him, growing cold. Upon taking his seat, Kanan did not know what to expect.